Crazy Mocha Coffee Company

Crazy Mocha Coffee Company
Industry coffeehouse chain
Number of locations
 29[1](as of Feb. 2013)
Area served
 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Products Coffee
Owner Ken Zeff[2]
Website www.crazymocha.com

Crazy Mocha Coffee Company is a coffeehouse chain in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania region. As of February 2013, there were 29 locations, with 2 more planned.[1] It is owned by Ken Zeff.[2]

Business philosophy

When possible, Crazy Mocha uses local contractors for construction and avoids opening near other independent coffee shops.[2]

Each location has its own vibe, often themed along with the neighborhood.[3] The Shadyside location matches the art-conscious neighborhood, South Side location has a faux-iron canopy hanging over the tables in honor of the area's industrial past, and the location at the SouthSide Works is based off a trendy Brooklyn cafe.[3] The Bloomfield location teamed up with The Dreaming Ant, an independent video rental store.[4]

Unlike major chain coffee shops, Crazy Mocha permits customers expansive use of the Wi-Fi system.[5]

The Sewickley location had been lenient toward dog lovers who wished to bring their pets to the shop, at least until arousing the attention of the Allegheny County Health Department.[6]

Crazy Mocha has been an early newcomer to urban rehabilitation in Lawrenceville and the North Side.[7]

The 2010 opening of the North Side location was hailed as the cornerstone of a redevelopment effort in that neighborhood.[8][9] The location, in renovated building, boasted arched windows and exposed brick walls.[9] The building was acquired by developers for $16,000 and required $142,500 in repairs and renovations.[10]

History

A view from Crazy Mocha.

The original store was the Dancing Goats coffee shop on Ellsworth Avenue in Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh.[2] The shop had been named after the apocryphal legend of the dancing goat that heralded the beginning of coffee.[11][12] It was purchased in 2000 by Ken Zeff, a merchandise buyer for J.C. Penney and native resident of Greenfield.[2][4]

The owner of the coffee chain, Zeff, doesn't drink coffee, saying "It’s actually been a good thing. I’m not buying what I like. I’m not influenced by that. I buy what the customers like."[2]

As of 2003, the Crazy Mocha chain had growth to 3 locations.[4] During 2004, the operation had doubled to 6 locations and 25 employees.[4] The rapid pace of expansion raised questions among observers about whether the growth was sustainable.[4] By 2008, the 21 locations required over 100 employees.[13]

In 2007, Zeff opened a store at PPG Place near to an existing Starbucks.[2] The new location was to fill the void left by the closure of La Prima Espresso Company.[2] Other downtown locations were developed to improve brand awareness.[14] In 2009, the downtown flagship store was opened on Liberty Avenue in the Cultural District.[15]

In 2009, the expansion into Cranberry marked the first time the store had gone beyond City of Pittsburgh limits into the suburbs. That location was a direct challenge to nearby Starbucks locations had generated $1 million per year.[16]

Crazy Mocha was profiled by the Pittsburgh Business Times to highlight retail stores' issues with the 2009 G-20 Pittsburgh summit.[17][18]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Locations". Crazy Mocha Coffee Company. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Wander, Jonathan (March 2010). "Ken Zeff". Pittsburgh Magazine. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Vellucci, Justin (August 30, 2007). "Crazy Mocha is changing the idea of a chain". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Brewing up business". Pittsburgh Business Times. September 27, 2004. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  5. ↑ Ramirez, Chris (March 23, 2012). "Pittsburgh coffee shops welcome those seeking Wi-Fi access". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  6. ↑ Cherry, Bobby (December 16, 2008). "Crazy Mocha in Sewickley bans 4-legged patrons". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  7. ↑ Schooley, Tim (February 24, 2012). "Crazy Mocha ready for more expansion, with three on the way". Pittsburgh Business Times. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  8. ↑ Pfister, Bonnie (July 5, 2009). "Crazy Mocha joins North Side revitalization effort". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  9. 1 2 Cato, Jason (January 14, 2010). "Planners see progress on transforming the city's North Side". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  10. ↑ Karlovits, Bob (February 27, 2011). "Rehab of old buildings seen as vital to keeping communities alive". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
  11. ↑ "Munch Goes to Dancing Goats, Katerbean". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 14, 2000. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Dining on Ellsworth an Al Fresco Adventure". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. July 19, 2001. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  13. ↑ "Crazy Mocha opens two stores, plans two more in 2009". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. December 11, 2008. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  14. ↑ "Crazy Mocha has 'Star' in its eyes". Pittsburgh Business Times. August 13, 2007. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  15. ↑ "Pittsburgh's Crazy Mocha coffee shop expects steady growth in Cultural District". Pittsburgh Business Times. October 5, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Crazy Mocha Coffee Co. adding two stores". Pittsburgh Business Times. March 13, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  17. ↑ "G-20 expected to be either boom or bust for retail". Pittsburgh Business Times. August 17, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
  18. ↑ "At Pittsburgh's Crazy Mocha, coffee is the global language". Pittsburgh Business Times. September 28, 2009. Retrieved June 16, 2013.
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